crimes and misdeamnors

Johnny Manziel Booked in Texas on Assault Charge

Cleveland Browns v Kansas City Chiefs
Manziel is no longer a Cleveland Brown. Photo: Peter G. Aiken/2015 Peter G. Aiken

Johnny Manziel, the Heisman winner formerly known as “Johnny Football,” surrendered himself to police in Highland Park, Texas, on Wednesday, where he was booked on a misdemeanor assault charge. According to Reuters, Manziel had a mug shot taken and posted bond of $1,500 before being released — he’s set to appear in court in Dallas on Thursday.

Last month, a Dallas County grand jury charged Manziel with beating, kidnapping, and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend in January. In court documents, she accuses him of hitting her so hard that she temporarily lost her hearing; Manziel’s lawyers say he’ll plead not guilty.

In February, Manziel was cut from the Cleveland Browns due, in part, to the assault charge — he also has a history of spotty play, drinking, and partying. “We’ve been clear about expectations for our players on and off the field,” Sashi Brown, Cleveland’s director of football operations, said at the time. “Johnny’s continual involvement in incidents that run counter to those expectations undermines … the reputation of our organization.” 

Manziel seemed to take the situation in stride, posting (and quickly deleting) a tweet that referenced another mug shot from a 2012 arrest.